Dental unit



Oct. 18, 1938. o. H. PIEPER 2,133,332

DENTAL UNIT Filed Feb. 11, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 18, 1938. 0. H.PIEPER DENTAL UN I T Filed Feb. 11, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 O. H. PIEPERD'ENTAL UNIT Oct. 18, 1938.

Filed Feb. 11, 1935 3% w s v e e h S 6 W m m Mme".

O. H. PIEPER DENTAL UNIT Oct. 18, 1938.

iled Feb. 11, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 18, 1938. Q H, P EP R 2,133,332

DENTAL UNIT Filed Feb. 11, 1955 v 6 meets-Sheet 5 wnew:

Oct. 18, 1938. r O P|EPER 2,133,332

DENTAL UNIT Filed Febll, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 3W 4 r w um Patented Oct.18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention has to do with dental units intended for supporting thevarious dental instruments for ready access, and is directed moreparticularly to a novel construction and arrangement of the column orpillar of the unit, and

associated features.

The unit of the instant application is, in general, quite similar to theapparatus of Patent No. 1,376,356, issued April 26, 1921, to Oscar H.Pieper and Alphonse F. Pieper, for Unitary dental apparatus, andreissued November 24, 1925, as Reissue Patent No. 16,216. The variouscircuits, circuit connections, and associated features of the presentinvention are, in the main, similar 15 to those of the above patent andneed not be here illustrated nor described in detail. Accordingly, thedescription to follow will be directed to the novel features ofconstruction of the supporting column, and associated features, it suf-20 ficing to note that suitable circuits and connections, known in theart, are provided for the respective instruments hereinafter referredto.

The present invention is directed to the provision, in a unit of thecharacter referred to, of a supporting column of novel construction inwhich the major portion of the electrical wiring is housed so as to beeffectively protected and in such manner as to leave the interior of thecolumn unobstructed for the accommodation of the 30 flexible cordsconnected to the respective instruments, and associated parts.Preferably, the housing means for the wiring also serves to reinforcethe supporting column. I also provide means associated with the columnfor support- 35 ing certain of the low voltage instruments and controlswitches therefor in such a manner as to be readily accessible for use.A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of control paneland associated parts such as to permit ac- 40 curate mounting thereofwith expedition and facility. Further objects and advantages will appearfrom the detail description.

In the drawings:-

Fig. l is a front view of a dental unit embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower portion ofthe supporting column, with the closure'plate removed, partly brokenaway and in section;

Figure 2A is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portion ofthe supporting column,

parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 3A is a section taken substantially on line 3A--3A of Figure 2A;Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2, partsbeing shown in elevation;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary lengthwise section 5 through the low voltageinstrument and switch block, on an enlarged scale, parts being shown inelevation;

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 5. 10Referring to Figure l, the unit comprises a hollow column I suitablysecured on a base frame 2 in a known manner, conveniently by bolting.-An arm 3 projects upward from one side of column l and swingablysupports, adjacent its upper end, an arm 4 to the outer end of which ispivoted an arm 5 carrying an instrument tray E5 of suitable type. An armI is mounted for turning movement on the upper end of arm 3, coaxiallytherewith, and carries a dental engine E mounted thereon in the mannerdisclosed in the patent referred to above. Suitable motor circuits andconnections, similar to those of said patent, are provided.

Column l is provided, at the other side thereof, with a projection 8 towhich is suitably secured a hollow support 0 for a cuspidor C of knowntype. Suitable water supply and discharge conduits are provided for thecuspidor and may extend therefrom through support 0 and projection 8 andthence downward within column l in proximity to the side thereof fromwhich projection 8 extends.

Column I is of approximately rectangular shape in horizontal section, asin Figure 4, and comprises front wall la, side walls lb and I0, and backwall Id. The back wall id is provided with an opening 9, of considerablewidth, disposed centrally thereof and extending the major portion of theheight of the column, as shown in Figures 2 and 2A. Wall Id is furtherprovided with an inwardly offset flange l0 (Figure 4) extending aboutopening 9 and projecting a short distance therebeyond so as to definetherewith a rectangular recess in which seats a correspondingly shapedflanged closure plate II, which plate is removably secured in positionin a suitable manner, as by means of screws passing through the cornersof the plate and threading into flange ill. By removing plate ll, readyaccess may be had to the interior of the column for effecting anynecessary or desirable connections or adjustments, or for any otherpurpose.

Front wall Ia of the column is provided, at its central portion, withtwo inwardly projecting ribs l 2 of appreciable width which extendlengthwise of this wall in spaced parallel relation. These ribs l2define, with the portion of wall la therebetween, a channel elementwhich extends the major portion of wall to and provides a substantialreinforcement therefor. This channel element also provides a housing forthe major portion of the electrical wiring, leaving the interior of thecolumn free thereof, as will be hereinafter described more fully.

A horizontal web it connects ribs l2 adjacent their lower ends, and isprovided with suitably disposed openings for reception of conduits I l,the upper ends of which are secured through the webs in a known manner.The conduits M contain the wires E5 of the main and auxiliary circuits.The ribs 52 are of increased width at their lower portions l2a, theupper ends of these widened portions being connected to the body portionof the respective ribs by an upwardly and forwardly inclined shoulder,as in Figure 3. A shield l6 extends upward from web l3 and seats againstthe inner or rearward edges of widened portions of ribs 52. shield isinclined upward and forward and seats upon the shoulders of the widenedportions of the ribs, above referred to. Web !3 projects inward a shortdistance beyond elements 12a of ribs l2, and is provided with a slotwhich receives a tongue i'i' projecting from the lower end of shield it.Two bosses i8, conveniently formed by thickening elements We of ribs l2,projecting inward from front wall la of the column, and have their inneror rearward ends suitably bored and threaded for reception of screws 18apassing through shield l6 and removably securing the latter in position.The upper portion of shield i6 extends upward and forward beneath thelower edge of a connection panel l9, and is provided with a suitablyshaped cutout or notch 26!, extending from its upper edge, whichaccommodates the wires 55. Panel i9 is formed of suitable insulatingmaterial and is secured to ribs l2 in a suitable manner, conveniently byscrews passing through the panel and threading into thickened portionsor bosses of ribs l2, as in Figure 2. The panel 59 carries sets ofbinding posts 26 of known type, which extend through the panel andproject beyond both faces thereof. Certain of these sets of bindingposts may be spares which normally are not used. Wires l5 are led upwardbetween elements l2a of ribs l2 and through notch 28 of shield E6 to therear of panel 89, where they are attached to the appropriate bindingposts 2!. It will be seen that these wires l5 are effectively housed bythe conduits M, and elements War of ribs 92 and shield i6, except forthe short lengths thereof at the back of panel 59.

A cover plate 25 extends upward from panel l9 and is secured by screws26 to studs 2'! and 28 projecting rearward from. wall la of column l.The latter stud is connected by a web 28a to one of the ribs 42, and bya rib 28b to wall la, the latter rib being adjacent and parallel to ribl2 from which web 26a extends, and extending from stud 28 to the upperend of the channel. Rib 28?) provides additional reenforcement for theupper portion of wall la, which supports transformers for the enginemotor and the low voltage instruments and associated parts.

The upper portion of the channel is covered by a plate 30 removablysecured to ribs 82 in a suitable manner, conveniently by screws passingthrough the plate and threading into thickened The upper portion of thiselements or bosses of ribs 12, as indicated in Figure 2A. Transformers3! and 32 are mounted upon plate 30 by suitable brackets secured to theplate by screw means, or in any other suitable manner. Plate 36 isprovided, at each upper corner, with an element which is bent rearwardand then upward to provide an L-shaped bracket 33, to which is secured aconnection block 34, by screws 35, this block being of suitableinsulating material and carrying binding posts 36 for eifecting theappropriate connections to the various instruments and associated parts.

Wall la of column 1 is provided, at the upper portion thereof, above thechannel member, with an opening 3? closed by a panel 38 of suitablematerial, which may be removably secured to wall la in a suitablemanner, as by screw means. A plate (it) is suitably secured to therearward face of panel 38, conveniently by screws, and supports switches4|, 42 and 43, of which switch 43 may be the main control switch, switch4! controlling the circuits for the low voltage instruments and switch42 controlling the circuit of the motor for the engine. The upperportion of panel 38, above plate 46, is offset outwardly and inclinedforward and downward, this portion carrying a socket or casing 44 for apilot light and also carrying the voltage regulator 45 comprising twoconcentric knobs and suitable contacts, this regulator being of knowntype. The plate 43 is further provided with an opening which is inalignment with a bulls eye 46 suitably secured in panel 38. A lampsocket 41 is supported by bracket 68 secured to plate 452, and carries asuitable lamp 49 disposed in back of the bulls eye.

Suitable taps are taken from the transformer 32 and are connected byflexible leads 5!? to the appropriate contacts of the regulator. Tapsare also taken from the transformer 32 and con-- nected by suitableleads to appropriate contacts, these latter leads passing through plate36 and thence upward between ribs 28?) and rib i2 adjacent thereto. Itwill be understood that suitable connections are made between thebinding posts 36 of the connection block 34 and the appropriate contactsfor controlling the various circuits. It will also be understood thatcertain of these binding posts 35 are connected to the wires in thecords leading to the low voltage instruments, the ends of these cords towhich the binding posts are connected being anchored in a suitablemanner.

Column I is provided, at the top thereof, with an upwardly extendinghousing 5| which accommodates electrical heating means of known type forheating water in a tumbler or other suitable container, such as a watersyringe, and for heating the contents of atomizer bottles 5m, in a knownmanner. The column I is further provided at the back and adjacent thetop thereof, with a suitable outlet 52 to which may be bolted, orotherwise suitably secured, a support 53 for either a spot light or anoverhead general illuminating lamp (not shown), as is known in the art,support 52 having openings therethrough for accommodating the leads tothe lamp.

A plate 55 is suitably secured, conveniently by screw means, to lugs 5'6projecting inward from the front and back walls of column 1 adjacent thelower end thereof. Two pair of guide rods 51 and 58 have their lowerends suitably anchored in plate 55 and are disposed at opposite sides ofthe channel element, as in Figure 4. The upper ends of rods 5'! and 58are anchored in brackets 59 secured to bosses 60 projecting from theinner or rear face of front wall la adjacent the lower end of opening 31therethrough. Each of pair of rods 5'! slidably receives the ends of aU- shaped guide frame BE in which 'is rotatably mounted a grooved pulleyor sheave 62 about which is passed a flexible air hose 63. The frame Eland pulley 62 constitutes weight means for maintaining the hose 63 underappropriate tension and returning the instrument attached to the hose toits normal inoperative position when not in use. Frame 6| passes about apulley frame 64 slidably on the rods 58 and carrying a grooved pulley orsheave 65 about which passes a flexible cord 65 to which is connected asuitable low voltage instrument. Frame 64 and pulley 65 serve tomaintain the cord 66 under appropriate tension and to return theinstrument to inoperative position when not in use.

An air connector I8, comprising two separate but integrally unitedchambers H is suitably secured, as by screw means, to back wall Id, ofthe column adjacent the lower end thereof. Air is supplied to thechambers H from a suitable source of supply of air under pressure, notshown, by tubes 12 connected to the respective chambers. Tubes 13 areconnected at their lower ends to the chambers H and extend upward alongthe rear corners of the column to connectors 14 secured in a suitablemanner, conveniently by means of screws, to bosses 15 formed on theinner face of wall laadjacent opening 3'! thereof. One end of therespective hose 63 is secured to the outlet of connector M by a coupling16, this coupling also providing an anchor for the end of the hose. Theair hose passes downward from coupling I3 through a suitable opening inbracket 59, thence about sheave 62 and then upward through the bracketto an instrument attached to the other end of the hose. A hot airsyringe may be attached to the other end of one hose 83. The hot airsyringe may have associated therewith suitable heating means, this meansbeing connected by leads to appropriate binding posts on the connectionblock 35, as is known in the art. An air cut-off nozzle 83 (Figure '1)is suitably connected to the other air hose 53, this nozzle beingadapted for quick attachment to atomizers containing suitable liquidsfor use in dental work, in a known manner. Conveniently, the hot airsyringe 8G and the air nozzle 83, when not in use, are supported in aninstrument holder or block 84 of suitable insulating material, beingdisposed adjacent the ends of the block.

Forward portion 85a of top wall 85 of the column is inclined downwardand forward, and is provided with an opening which receives reducedportion 84a of block 84. Two metal tubes 86 are suitably secured inblock 84 adjacent the ends thereof and extend therefrom at aninclination downward and rearward of the column. The upper portion ofeach tube is flared to provide a seat for the lower end portion of thehot air syringe 88, or the air cut-off 83, as the case may be, it beingnoted that the lower end of tube 86 is flared to provide a smoothsurface over which the hose 63 passes during use of the instrument.

The block 84 also carries, between the tubes 86, two metal tubes 81,shown in Figure 5. The tubes 81 receive hand pieces or switch handles.88

which are adaptedfor reception of low voltageelectrical instruments. Ihave shown a mouth examination lamp 9!] and associated mirror mounted onone of the switch handles (Figures 1 and 3A) and a pulp tester 9|(Figure 1) mounted on the other switch handle, but it will be understoodthat various electrical instruments may be used in conjunction with theswitch handles.

A strip of insulation 93 is attached to the tubes 8'? in any suitablemanner, as by means of a clamp 94 and associated screw and nut means 95.Each of the tubes 81 is provided with a radial slot 95 for reception ofhead 91 of a switch arm 98, of suitable insulating material, pivoted at89 on strip 93. Head 91 of arm 98 is urged toward the adjacent tube 81by a leaf spring 100 secured to the adjacent end of strip 93. A contactstrip i8! is also secured to the end of insulating strip 93 and extendsdownward therefrom. Strip lill is provided with a contact point E02which coacts with a contact point 183 of a contact strip I85 securedupon the lower end of switch arm 98.

Electric cords 66 extend upward through tubes 8'5 and are connected tothe respective switch handles 88. Each of the cords carries twoconductors, and it will be understood that the other ends of theconductors of the respective cords 66 are connected into appropriatecircuits, including the contact points E02 and I03, for closing the lowvoltage circuit of the instrument upon movement of switch arm 98 intocircuit closing position.

Each switch handle 88 is provided at its upper end with a head I56, ofsuitable insulating material, for securing in the switch handle, in aknown manner, the various instruments used therewith, and is alsoprovided with a collar I57, below head E88, which limits downwardmovement of the switch handle in tube 81. When handpiece or switchhandle 88 is in its normal lowered position, as shown in Figure 5,switch arm 98 is held in the position shown at the right of Figure 5, bycontact of handpiece 88 with head 9'5 of the arm, thus opening thecircuit. Upon upward movement of handpiece B8, in the withdrawal thereoffrom tube 8'? for use, head 8'! of switch arm 98 is released and thisarm may be then moved by leaf spring 1% into its circuit closingposition shown at the left of Figure 5, thus closing the circuit of theassociated instrument. In this manner, I provide, adjacent each of thehandpieces or switch handles mounted in the block 85, a control switchtherefor which is of simple construction and operation, and is effectivefor closing the circuit of the instrument mounted in the handpiece, uponwithdrawal of the latter from the instrument support or block for use,and for opening the circuit of the instrument upon return of thehandpiece to the block.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the channel member isdisposed centrally of front wall id of the column with the guide rods 51and 58, and associated parts, disposed at opposite sides of the channelmember with the space between the sets or pairs of guide rodsunobstructed for substantially the full interior length of the column.The channel member provides a housing for the major portion of thewiring, designated I ID, the channel member thus serving effectively tohouse the wiring while also confining it at the central portion of thefront of the column. The interior of the column is thus free, for themajor portion of its length, of electric wires and ready access may behad to the various apparatuses and parts thereof within the column. Thisapplies particularly to the channel member and parts associatedtherewith, it being noted that the space between this member and theback wall of the column is unobstructed, thus giving ready access to theparts associated with the channel member as well as to the guide rods,pulleys, cords and associated parts. It will further be noted that plate30 and the parts associated therewith may be assembled as a unitexterior of the column and then inserted through the opening at the backof the column, and the plate 30 secured to the channel member in themanner previously described. In this connection, it is pointed out thatthe leads between the transformer apparatus and the regulator meansassociated with the panel 38 are flexible so that this panel 33 and theplate 39 may be separately positioned and secured, within the limits ofthe leads referred to. This is a distinct advantage in that it greatlyfacilitates the mounting of the plate 36] and associated parts and thepanel 38 and associated parts. Preferably, though not necessarily, Iprovide a suitable shield H2 which extends upward and forward fromtransformer 32 and is secured to the lower portion of connection block34, this shield serving to protect leads 59 extending from thetransformer.

A suitable socket N38 is mounted in front wall la of the column adjacentthe lower end thereof. for reception of a plug for connection of a footoperated motor controller, which controls operation of the dental engineE in a known manner. The socket 208 and the controller and theconnection plug associated therewith are of known type and need not beillustrated nor described in detail,

By providing the channel member at the front of the column and housingthe major portion of the wiring therein, the interior of the column maybe arranged in a neat and orderly manner so as to give ready access toall parts therein, the major portion of the wiring is effectivelyprotectcd from injury, and the front wall of the column may be oflighter construction due to the material reinforcement afforded by thechannel member. This contributes to increased efliciency, neatness ofappearance and reduction in weight, all of which are desirable.

What I claim is:-

l. In a dental unit, a hollow column, a reinforcing channel memberintegral with and extending lengthwise of said column for the majorportion of the length thereof, and electrical apparatuses supported inpart by said column and in part by said channel member, the latterhousing the major portion of the wiring for said apparatuses.

2. In a dental unit, a hollow column of approximately rectangularcross-section, a channel member at the rear of and integral with thefront Wall of said column and extending the major portion of the lengththereof, and electrical apparatuses supported by said front wall and bysaid channel member, the major portion of the wiring for saidapparatuses being enclosed within said channel member, the rear wall ofthe column having an opening giving access to said channel member.

3. In a dental unit, a hollow column of approximately rectangularcross-section, a channel member integral with the front wall of thecolumn centrally thereof and opening rearward therefrom, said memberextending the major portion of the length of said front wall, the backwall of the column having an opening extending the major portion of itslength and aligned with said channel member, and electrical apparatusessupported by said front wall and by said channel member, the majorportion of the wiring for said apparatuses being disposed within saidchannel member.

4. In a dental unit, a hollow column of approximately rectangularcross-section, a channel member integral with the front wall of thecolumn centrally thereof and opening rearward therefrom, said memberextending the major portion of the length of said front wall, the backwall of the column having an opening extending the major portion of thelength and aligned with said channel member, a plate removably mountedon the channel member and closing the back thereof, electricalapparatuses mounted on said plate, said front wall having an openingtherein above said channel member, a panel on said front wall over saidopening, and electrical apparatuses mounted on said panel and connectedto the apparatuses mounted on said plate, the major portion of thewiring for said apparatuses being disposed within said channel member.

5. In a dental unit, a hollow column of approximately rectangularcross-section, a channel member integral with the front wall of thecolumn centrally thereof and opening rearward therefrom, said memberextending the major portion of the length of said front wall, the backwall of the column having an opening extending the major portion of itslength and aligned with said channel member, electrical apparatusessupported by said front wall and by said channel member, the majorportion of the wiring for said apparatuses being disposed within saidchannel member, guide means disposed within the column at opposite sidesof said channel member, weight and pulley devices slidable on saidmeans, and flexible instrument cords passing beneath the pulleys of saiddevices and then upward within the column, said devices and said cordsbeing disposed at opposite sides of said channel member whereby thespace between the latter and said opening of said back wall isunobstructed for ready access to said channel means and associatedapparatuses.

6. In a dental unit, a hollow column of approximately rectangularcross-section, a channel member integral with the front wall of saidcolumn centrally thereof and opening rearward therefrom, said memberextending the major portion of the length of said front wall, the backwall of the column having an opening extending the major portion of itslength and aligned with said channel member, electrical apparatusessupported by said front wall and by said channel member, the majorportion of the wiring for said apparatuses being disposed within saidchannel member, guide means disposed within the column at opposite sidesof said channel member, weight and pulley devices slidable on saidmeans, flexible instrument cords passing beneath the pulleys of saiddevices and then upward within the column, and air supply tubes disposedwithin the column adjacent the sides thereof and connected to certain ofsaid cords, said devices and said cords being disposed at opposite sidesof said channel member whereby the space between the latter and saidopening of said back wall is unobstructed for ready access to saidchannel means and associated apparatuses.

7. In a dental unit, a hollow column having a ront wall, a reinforcingchannel member rigid with and extending the major portion of the lengthof said wall at the inner face thereof, and electrical apparatusesmounted on and supported by said wall at the outer face thereof, saidchannel member housing the major portion of the wiring for saidapparatuses.

8. In a dental unit, a hollow column, a supporting block mounted on thecolumn adjacent the upper end thereof, tubes depending from said blockwithin said column, electrical instruments normally seating in saidblock and extending into said tubes and removable therefrom, andindividual switches carried by said tubes for controlling the circuitsof said instruments, each comprising a switch arm yieldingly urgedtowardone of said tubes into circuit closing position, each tube havingan opening through its wall and each switch arm having an elementdisposed to project through said opening into the associated tube in theclosed circuit position of said arm, the switch arm being moved intoopen circuit position by contact of an instrument with said element uponinsertion of the instrument into its associated tube.

9. In a dental unit, a hollow column, a reinforcing channel member rigidwith and extending lengthwise of said column within the latter for themajor portion of the length thereof, and electrical apparatuses mountedon and supported in part by said column exteriorly thereof and in partby said channel member interiorly of said column,

said channel member housing the major portion of the wiring for saidapparatuses.

10. In a dental unit, a hollow column, a supporting block mounted on thecolumn, tubular members carried by said block confined against movementrelative thereto and extending within said column, electricalinstruments normally seating in said block and free for insertion intoand withdrawal from said tubular members at will by lengthwise movementrelative thereto while the positions of said tubular members relative tosaid block remain unaltered, and switches mounted within said columnadjacent the respective tubular members having elements movable inopposite directions normally disposed in the path of lengthwise movementof said instruments for individually controlling the circuits thereof,said instruments causing movement of said elements in one direction andpermitting movement of said elements in the other direction effectivefor causing opening and closing of said switches responsive tolengthwise insertion and withdrawal of said instruments.

OSCAR H. PIE-PER.

